Michigan voters throw up a roadblock when asked about Gov. Rick Snyder's road improvement plan, which would require gas tax hikes and increases in vehicle registration fees, but they are willing to give the green light to an alternative Republican proposal to fund roads with a 1-cent increase in the sales tax to 7 percent.

According to poll results released on Tuesday by Lansing-based EPIC-MRA, 57 percent support the sales tax idea and 42 percent oppose it. The tax hike enjoys support from Democrats and independents in the statewide survey, but even Republicans are receptive by a 56-42 percent edge.

"It wasn't that long ago that that was not looked upon favorably," said EPIC-MRA pollster Bernie Porn.

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While gas tax hikes have consistently polled poorly since the last increase, initiated by Republican governor John Engler in the 1990s, a sales tax boost had also gained little popularity over the years, according to Porn. But the new survey reveals a changing point of view.

"One cent dedicated to the roads means that everybody pays that, outstate people pay that, tourists pay that," he said. "The perception is that it's a tax everyone shares."

The May 11-15 telephone poll of 600 Michigan voters also found backing for an extra fee on large trucks traveling state highways that exceed the weight limit imposed by surrounding states.

But the initial road funding proposal by Snyder, who continues to suffer from low approval ratings in the EPIC-MRA poll, is highly unpopular with the electorate. Apparently, the only thing facing motorists that approaches the collective ire expressed over potholes is the government raising gasoline and diesel fuel prices at the pump.

Some 72 percent oppose the plan and only 21 percent are supportive.

The governor had proposed replacing the current tax system -- 19 cents per gallon on gasoline, 15 cents for each gallon of diesel -- with a universal per-gallon tax of 33 cents levied at the wholesale level.

The overall package, designed to raise more than $1 billion annually for road repairs and improvements, also featured a 60 percent hike on vehicle registration fees administered by the Secretary of State's Office. A motorist with a car valued at $25,000 would pay an extra $80 annually.

That plan was rejected by poll respondents, 52-46 percent.

The sales tax hike gained traction in the GOP-dominated state Senate months ago.

The plan also would eliminate the share of funds allocated to education from sales tax revenues collected at the gas pump. Instead, all money raised from fuel sales would finance road repairs.

The newest plan to emerge in Lansing for financing the massive road improvements needed across the state would repeal about half of Snyder's $1.8 billion business tax cut that was enacted by the Legislature in 2011 to boost the lagging economy. The legislative proposal to divert $900 million of that tax break to improved highways received a surprisingly robust approval in the poll by a 51-34 percent margin.

Perhaps the most unusual aspect of that poll question was that GOP voters, typically pro-business in a staunch way, were fairly divided on the question. Some 48 percent rejected the idea, 37 percent gave it a thumbs up and 15 percent were undecided.